The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has charged civil and public servants in the State to brace up, as there are more serious tasks in the coming year.
Prince Abiodun gave the charge at the valedictory programme organised for the retired Head of Service, Engr. Lanre Bisiriyu and 11 Permanent Secretaries who also retired from the civil service, at the Arcade Ground, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
He said for the State to experience rapid development, public servants needed to be more dedicated and professional to face the challenges ahead.
The Governor noted that his administration was irrevocably committed to good governance for the continued development of the State and individual prosperity irrespective of age, gender or status, adding that workers’ welfare would continue to receive priority to further guarantee industrial harmony in the State.
“Let me in a special way acknowledge the entire civil and public servants for their support and cooperation since the inception of this administration. I must State that all that we have achieved in the last six months is no doubt largely due to dedication, commitment and diligence that our civil and public servants have exihibited.
“Our administration will continue to appreciate all our civil and public servants as important stakeholders in the successful implementation of our ‘building our future together’ agenda. Ogun State’s public service has a proud legacy of professionalism. In this wise, I urge all our civil and public servants to keep the flag flying by emulating their predecessors,” he advised.
Governor Abiodun, who said the programme was organised to induct the retirees as the true and worthy ambassadors of the State, noted that government would continue to count on their experience for the development of the State and the public service in particular, saying that their retirement has created a vacuum that would be difficult to fill.
In his remark, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Olatokunbo Talabi, who eulogised the retiring Head of Service for helping to stabilise the administration through his wise counseling, added that he was a workaholic who navigated the turbulence of the years by blending easily with those he came in contact with.
The outgoing Head of Service, Engr. Bisiriyu, in his valedictory speech, lauded the government for involving the people in its “building our future together” agenda, opining that it would open a better channel for sustainable development in infrastructure, security and high standard of living for citizens.
He applauded the government for its development strides, particularly in the area of human capital development, saying that the future of the State looks good with the vision, policies and programmes currently being embarked upon.
“Your commitment and undeterred passion towards evolving a better civil/public service through workers’ welfare, timely payment of salaries and other allowances and more importantly capacity building through human capital development cannot be overemphasised.
“You have not hidden your desire to change the face of the State through meaningful development projects across the length and breadth of the State. I have no doubt in my mind that the future of our dear State is bright, given Your Excellency’s vision and programmes for the State,” he concluded.
Speaking on behalf of the retired Permanent Secretaries, Mr. James Olugbele, appreciated the Almighty for His Grace to contribute their quota to the development of the State, while calling those still in service to double their efforts to make the Gateway State a better place for all.
The retired Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries were honoured with awards, for their meritorious service to the State.
